Milk: So... first of all, why The Rascals - are you chaps particularly cheeky in nature? Or are you paying homage to The Young Rascals?
I guess we were a little mischievous; people did say, 'oh, you're like little rascals you lot' so it just stuck, we like it.

Tell us about your beginnings as three of The Little Flames; we love that band...
Well, we were in the band but it got to a point after about 2 years where the three of us wanted to go off and do our own thing. We did an album with them but we started writing stuff and wanted to see where that took us and have more freedom to follow up 'The Rascals.'

How was it supporting Arctic Monkeys?
Sound. Yeah, I mean we supported them as the Little Flames so it wasn't new to us. They're good guys; we had a laugh.

How does 'Last of the Shadow Puppets' function? As a working band? How does Miles fit everything in?
Well, it only took two weeks to record the album, so yea, its just there... that's the way it is. Miles wants to do it so he makes the time.

What was the soundtrack to your childhood? Do you find that your taste in music has been largely shaped by coming from Liverpool (which obviously has such a rich and weighty musical history?)
Well, I've only ever grown up in Liverpool so I don't really know... I guess without realizing, maybe its cool to come from somewhere like Liverpool as opposed to... Norwich. Y'know, The Beatles, The Las. We've always had music in our lives. My cousin drums in The Coral so I've always listened to them. I'd say Oasis, the Zutons these were big players in any soundtrack I'd put to my life.

What are your thoughts on the current UK music scene? Are there any bands you're listening to at the moment that you'd care to mention?
I feel like there is a lull. Like there is a lot of bad stuff out there or that bands are lacking an edge. There's a lot of pop around and its bad pop, not the good stuff. I would mention The Suzukis from Wigan as a band I think worth listening to.

As individuals, what makes you most happy?
Listening to Roy Orbison in the bath. And in the bath. Not the shower.